Any recommendations? There's so many about!

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There is a forgotten, nay, almost forbidden word, which means more to me than any other. That word is ENGLAND.

When we go on our Euro tours we sleep on our roof rack in a £35 2second tent from Decathlon sport shops.
Our roof rack deck is a full 8ft by 4ft ally chequer sheet which sits inside the roof rack frame work.
The tents guy lines are simply fastened around the rack rails and for comfort we sleep on our self inflating air mattress which inflate to 7cms thick. Again, these were purchased from Decathlon sport shops.
By using this sleeping arrangement we have the following advantages:
1) We have a lower wind resistance/drag factor by having an empty rack.
2) We dont drive around all day with a 'top heavy' vehicle as our centre of gravity is nice and low - Handy for exploring off road when on travels.
3) All our kit is kept dry & safe inside the vehicle.

This arrangement works well for us and allows a very quick 'set up bed time' which means we can stop late at night, anywhere, and be washed and in bed in under 10 minutes!
Great after a long days driving or for midday naps.

I am investogating also and have found Specialist 4x4 Expedition Equipment - Trek Overland have Howling Moon range of Family Tourer and roof tents which I am tempted. Definately worth a look. Pricey but look worth it as they tailor make to vehicle and arrange fitting and accessories service. Also have a look at vehicle prep section 2C2K - 2CAPES2KIDS - Long Distance Charity Expedition from Cape Wrath to Cape of Good Hope - Home for idea of practical use.Or - try Rooftent, roofracks and 4x4 land rover accessories from Nene Overland, UK - think Nene Overland may have some you can go and view - based Cambs
Trekoverland are based in York but they are willing to send you CD with images and specifications about the tent. You can view examples. Claire very knowledgeable and helpful - very approachable and can ask her anything.

Rooftents - Hannibal or Eezi-Awn ???

The above - old article - loads interesting stuff about roof tents.

or a tent hammock each. light weight, quick to put up, comfier than a very comfy thing, and you don't have to park on level ground.

Hennessy Hammocks

That way you don't need a roofrack either - more weight / fuel / cost / chequerplate saving.

Everyone I know thats got one has never slept in anything else ever again. Ok apart from their own bed. That would be stupid.

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Info someone kindly provided me recently on Howling Moon Roof Tents:

Tent Pro's

It only takes a few minutes to unzip the protective cover and erect the tent.
Its very well made and mozi proof.
The mattress is comfortable to sleep on
There's plenty room (we had 3 adults and 2 kids and it was fine)
It performed well in the wet
You can leave sleeping bags in the tent and it still folds away (if you lie them flat)
The zips are good quality (and they need to be - you can also order new covers if you damage one)

Tent Con's

The awning is very bulky and not worth the effort for an overnight stop
The window poles are more time consuming (another few minutes - we didn't always use all the poles)
Although mozi proof it is not sand fly or midge proof - mesh has bigger holes than the likes of Terra Nova or North Face tents (we also checked for mozi's as they are pretty determined to get in and as you have to open the door to crawl in they inevitably join you)
Folding away can be done with one person but two is best (one lifting and the other tucking in the loose stuff)
The family tourer takes up the entire roof (we strapped a roof storage bag on top which took 3 wolf boxes)
Quite noisy in high winds (flapping!)

I made some enquiries with the company that sell them in the UK - quite pricey as I said before - for a 2.4m x 2.4m (sleeps 4 adults comfortably) and has bottom awning/tent area at base rear of vehicle - circa £2,000 (£1,700 +VAT).

Have come to the conclusion that the Howling Moon Roof Tent has got to be "the one". Anyway, just to say that having spent the whole morning skivving and surfing the net re: roof tents - best bet is to do a google search - loads of personal overland travel website experiences and forums which list roof tent types and pros and cons etc.

CAR TOP TENT, CAR ROOF TENT, BRAND NAME, 240x140x130 CM
Buy it now price: £529.00 CAR TOP TENT, CAR ROOF TENT, BRAND NAME, 240x140x130 CM on eBay, also, Other Camper Caravan Parts, Campers, Caravans Motorhomes, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 04-Apr-08 18:35:31 BST)
Suppose to be okay. Met a guy in Driffield who got one last year.

I looked into all the options and tryed out loads with lots and lots of consideration......
Then a Howling Moon tent came up on ebay really cheap and i saw it about 10 minutes after the guy posted it so snapped up a bargain :-)
Off to Morocco tomorrow so will fit it tonight.
Cheers all.

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There is a forgotten, nay, almost forbidden word, which means more to me than any other. That word is ENGLAND.

I'm jealous. I want one!!!!!!!!!!